The report was published Monday August 8 where the quality of care was praised as well as the level of friendliness and compassion of staff.

Hospice Chief Executive Barbara Gale said: “We are proud that our staff and volunteers have been acknowledged for their excellence.

“At St Nicholas Hospice Care we believe everyone deserves outstanding care and that it should be available whatever a person’s needs are and wherever they call home.

“We will continue to do our best as well as share our knowledge with care homes, hospitals and prisons so outstanding care can reach more people.”

In the report it said: “St Nicholas Hospice is an outstanding service.

“It is truly focused on the individual needs of people that they support, giving people support at the time they need it in a way and place that best suits them and their family.

“People spoke of a service that was tailor-made for them and their families saying that staff truly went the extra mile to offer understanding, empathy and choices that were based upon information and keeping people informed and involved.”

Dr Christopher Browning, chairman at NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Everyone at St Nicholas Hospice Care should be very proud of this rating by the CQC.

“The staff work very hard to support those people who are living with long-term and life-threatening illnesses.